Closure for containers



R. w. SHORE CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS- Feb, 11, 1958 Filed Feb. 14, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

FIG.

FIG. 4

T vU Y INVENTOR 05605 W 54mm? BY 6&1; M xii/M.

- ATTORNEYS 1953 R. w. SHORE 2,822,964

CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 14, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5;

a El 2 I f /0 INVENTOR ATTORN Kosg oe Shore r r 2,822,964 IcePatented-iFeb.-.11, was

6Claims; (Cl'. 222-541 The present invention melatesto a-iclosureianddischarge 1 device forrapplication tOi containersrotltthe type conventionailzy formed: with. a; loading: and discharge opening defined-rrimmed by; a. flange:v 0111001121. Well known forms of "containerssuchasrfifi gal'wshee't metal :d'mms, or the like,-. ton example;areawidely userlzforrtransporting and storingwarious: kinds: of.liquids. suchz as hydrocarbon: oil, products-- in connection-.- withwhich: contamination" and leakage:have I presented; continuing:problems.

. In the distributioniofisome liquids,asztpetroleum; sup plied ini'sueh:drums; circumstances sometimes require 2thattthe'liquidvbedrawmfraomrthezdrumiby=a2pump or thelikefiwhereas;under other: conditions is mor'e -com venient; to draw 01% 'thehliquidiby; gravity through a suit able: spigot Imcert-ain; known types? drumstwo 1 sep'a rate openings;oncaconventionally of 2; "diameter and thei 3other; 'diameten. are-provided for:this: purpose: with corresponding?increased? cost: as: W611i asiegreater possibility of;lealcagetinntransite inrothenknowmtypes" of. "drums foo asimilar,purpose; A provision is: made for using: :both kinds of dispensing-devices 1ini conjunction with. a' single/open 3 in-g, T116867"containers :cannot: be: efi'ective'ly rescaled against leakage-after:the'viniti'alYclosurel of" the single openingthasbeenrremovediort'modified tolperrnit discharge of;- the liquidcontentsr-In some." instances; where the drums are. made: off: precoated'sheetimateria'l; metal or other edges 1 are: 'lefta exposed: to: contactwith: thedrum contents which, depending, :om their "character;maysthemselves heeimpaired as-::.bycontamination; or may-impair the:drum closure-l An object of the present invention, accordingly',- has 4been to provide in commercially acceptable fortn what mayconvenientlyi361 consideredias: a: cluaL purpose "or convertible?=" closure:whereby. the drum; contents: are ef feetiveiy; containedr withoutleakage and? protected .ia'gainst contamination bythe:closurevasrinitiallyi applied to and 5 used oni-thet-loaded or;liquid: containing drumgtwhereby the liquid: contents may: beconveniently and: effectively withdrawn; either ,by' powerron bygravity; whereby; thereafter, t if t desired, the drum opening may; beclosed era-re sealedtwholly by; parts included: incthe: closureassembly; 5 andztwherebyi outwardly locatedparts of relatively: more:durablezmaterial. or\ constructionmay: provide effective protection.formless-f durable orrelatively weakerpartsa coveredtbyisaidouterpartst-My invention accordingly, comprises a closure device: 6

whereinsa bushing adaptedatosbe; secured inrtheedruni':

protect-the gravity discharge" adapter prior to breaching or removingthe bushingidiaphragm; and thereafter to erfectively seal andprotectivelyfcover the container openingfin caseof: a: need or desire toagainrclose 'and transport the-- drum or to prevent evaporation,contamination or deterioration ofits contents;

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure- I is a view in= elevation ofa: closure assembly as initiallyapplied to the opening-in a wall of oneform of- :drum or. containertoseali the contents-therein;

Figure 2,- a view'in centraivertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig.1 1

Fig=i3,' a view inc'entral vertical-section; as in Figure 2,with.screwcapremoved; with. sealing= diaphragm cut out of thebushing andwith apower discharge fitting engaged with the-'interi'orly:threadedportiomof' said bushing;

Figure-4; a'si rnilanview but withthe gravity discharge adaptere'lampeditorthevbushing bythe cap and agravity discharge fittingaengagedwiththe interiorly threadedportion-of said a'daptery Figure 5 isaviewt-in'central vertieal sectionof a modifiecl form: of= closurewhere'inthe adapter for receiving the spigot discharge pipe is ofplastic and integral with the cover; and that pont-ionof= thebushing,where: it is-of plastic; which-receives? therpoweri discharge pipeisembraced by: atmetal ring-g v Figure? 6, a-i-view ast ins Figt. 5;with': the cover and thesea-ling,..diaphragm-- of-the bushing-1' removedand a: powerdischarge fitting engaged with the bushings-and Fig.;7 is.asimilar view' wherein-the cover engages'the bushing; and the adapterwith its sealing diaphragm re moved supports-a spigot in'g-ravitydischarge position;

Referring to the drawings; a: device according; to my invention: isthere shownas secured to amend w'alli or other convenient part of a drum10. As'seen in--.Figure-2, sa-iddrum h'as an openingzdefined-bya rim'orcollar 11 to which a portion-of the closure'device; as-the plu'gorb'ushings 1L.is--permanently secured by suitable means! such asathe"ring 13 which securely fa-stens on crimpsbushing 12 to"co1lar 11-, saidbushing; having. a-- peripheral flange 14'which'rests on the outeredgeof collar 11E and is pressed-or clamped down intossealingr contacttherewith by ring 13.

Bushing, 12 is closedby a transverselyi extending sealing wall ordiaphragm 1-5 thus-- providing in effect a plug which; seals .or closesthe drumopeningi. Said diaphragm 15 is preferably of readilypierceable'material} or such that itlcana easily be cut outand:=re'mov'ed,.1eaving an opening 16, Figs."3 and-4; throughwhich:t'o-discharge or withdraw the drum contents. Thechoice:offmaterialfor the bushing may depend:in somewcasesfionthe nature or condition ofthe drum contents.-- Bushings-including partitionsv or diaphra'gms ofmolded-polyethylene, for example; -have been" found to be effective andtofpermit ready discharge access to drums containing-certain petroleum:

products: I

As seen' in--Fig.v2, the outer or projecting portion of bushing-312is-provided with means for retaining-apro- 12 and slightly greater" indiameterthan the interior opening of said' b'ushing which is interiorlythreadedtb provide means 'for attaching thereto a pump or'pov'verdischarge fitting; as-a pipe 19, Figure 3; through opening 18 when As"shown in Figures 2 and" 4;. a gravity discharge adapter A separ'atefromflie'bushin'g andfrom cap 17' comprises an interiorly threadedcollar 20 and a peripheral flange 21 thereon which is of such diameterthat, when the closure is initially applied, as in Fig. 2, or whenemployed for gravity discharge through a fitting or pipe 22, as in Fig.4, said flange 21 seats closely on the outer end edge of said bushing 12and is retained thereon by suitable means, such as said screw cap 17.The adapter A may with advantage be formed of polyethylene or othersuitable moldable material for some purposes, although the choice of amaterial for this part as well as for the bushing 12 will in generalrest upon the circumstances of ultimate use of the drum, the closure andits parts.

A sealing and protective disc 23, also of a diameter to extend acrossand close the open outer end of bushing 12, is assembled initially,Figure 2, between cap 17 and the adapter flange 21, where, as initiallyemployed, it serves as a protecting element and as a sealing elementsupplementary to diaprahgm 15. After said diaphragm has been pierced orremoved, said disc 23 may serve to re-seal or close the drum opening attimes when the dis charge fittings are not attached for use. It is alsocontemplated that where either the bushing 12 or the adapter A is madeof relatively fragile material, or where diaphragm 15 is easily cut orpierced, disc 23 may advantageously be made of metal or other suitablystrong material and thus, in combination with cap 17, provide aneffective protective cover for less rugged parts enclosed thereby.

In practice, the liquid charge or load is fed into drum through theopening defined by collar 11. An assembly of the bushing 12, the adapterA, screw cap 17 and disc 23 is then applied with the inner end portionof the bushing extending into said collar 11 and secured thereto bypressing ring 13 thereon by a conventional crimping tool or machine, orby other suitable attaching means.

To dispense the contents of a drum so equipped, cap 17, disc 23 andadapter A are removed; and diaphragm 15 is breached or preferably cutout to establish a discharge passageway, as 16, through bushing 12.Where the contents of the drum are to be pumped out, commonly with thedrum standing on its closed end, the exteriorly threaded end of the pumpfitting or pipe 19 is engaged with the interior threads of bushing 12.During this power discharge operation the adapter A, and disc 23 arelaid aside and cap 17 is optionally used where it may at least in partprotect or support outer portions of the plastic bushing 12.

If it is desired to discharge the drum contents by gravity instead of bya pump, fitting'22 which may be part of a conventional spigot or faucetassembly is engaged with the interiorly threaded collar 20 of adapter Awhile the latter is secured in position on bushing 12 by means of screwcap 17, Figure 4. Thus, said adapter operatively supports pipe orfitting 22 which in this position extends through opening 18 in the endwall of cap 17; and flange portion 21 of adapter A serves in part as agasket pressed between cap 17 and the outer end edge of bushing 12. Touse the faucet discharge as shown, drum 10 is conveniently positioned onits side with the pipe or fitting 22 extending outwardly horizontallyfrom the end wall of the drum or, as indicated in Figure 4.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, bushing 24 which mayadvantageously for some purposes be formed of a moldable plastic, aspolyethylene, is mounted in a ring 25 and thereby secured to collar 11of can or drum 10. Bushing 24 comprises an end sealing wall or diaphragm26, an interiorly threaded annular flange 27 and a peripheral flange 28.Said flange 28 is crimped or pressed between collar 11 and ring 25 tohold said bushing in drum sealing position on said collar 11. As seen inFig. 6, annular flange 27 of bushing 24 is interiorly threaded toreceive the threaded end of discharge pipe 29 forming part of a powerdischarge or pumping mechanism. Metal ring 25 is formed with an annularflange 30 which closely embraces and thus supports or reinforces theouter end of annular flange 27 of bushing 24.

A cover 31 which may also be formed of moldable plastic such aspolyethylene has a top or outer wall, an outer annular flange 32 and aninner annular flange 33. Peripheral edge portions of the top wall forman annular shoulder adapted to bear against the outer edges of flanges27 and 30 when the cover is in place. Outer annular flange 32 isexteriorly threaded to engage the interior thread of annular flange 27of bushing 24 which thus serves to retain cover 31 in sealing positionand, when said cover is removed, to support pipe 29 in power dischargingposition, as above described.

Cover 31 is also formed with a relatively thin or easily pierceablediaphragm 34 extending across and initially closing the outer end of theopening or passageway provided by said inner annular flange 33. Untilthe apparatus is to be discharged by gravity, as in Fig. 7, sealing wallor diaphragm 34 may remain intact, so that, even though bushingdiaphragm 26 has been breached, as by removing a portion thereof to forman opening 35, Fig. 6, the drum may be re-sealed by again engaging cover31 with the interior threads of bushing 24. Where the drum contents, ora portion thereof, are to be discharged by gravity through a spigot, orthe like, diaphragm 34 is cut out or removed to form an opening 37through which the threaded end of fitting 36 extends to engage flange 33now serving as a gravity feed adapter, Fig. 7, for supporting thedischarge spigot. It is contemplated that, in use, the cover 31 andconnected parts will ordinarily be protected as by a snap-cap indicatedin dotted lines, Fig. 5, of conventional design and of a material suchas metal, thus effectively covering the more fragile plastic parts atleast during transportation and handling.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it will be apparent that a closure and dischargedevice according to my invention supplies in simple and inexpensive formnot only the basic function of sealing the drum against loss,deterioration and contamination of its liquid contents but also providesfacilities for either power or gravity discharge thereof. Theseadvantages are attained without sacrificing or destroying theeffectiveness of the closure means to re-seal or securely close the drumopening after breach of its original sealing diaphragm. These favorableresults in use are aided and more nearly assured by effectivelyenclosing and protecting less rugged parts by outer parts of more ruggedreinforcing or coveringmaterial.

I claim:.

1. A closure and discharge device for a container of the type which hasa protruding outlet collar of sheet material, said closure including abushing adapted to fit within said collar and having a transversepartition and an outer end portion which extends beyond the outer endedge of said collar, and a peripheral flange positioned to bear againstsaid outer end edge of the collar, a ring peripherally embracing saidcollar and said flange to effectively secure said bushing in sealingengagement with said collar, said outer end portion of said bushingbeing exteriorly adapted to receive a cap and having an interior openingthreaded to receive a power discharge fitting, an adapter comprising aninteriorly threaded collar open at both ends to receive a gravitydischarge fitting of less diameter than that of said interior opening ofthe bushing, and a peripheral flange having its outer edge portionarranged and adapted to bear upon the outer edge of said bushing, asealing disc bearing on said flange of the adapter, and a closure caphaving an end wall pro vided with an opening of less diameter than thatof said disc and a lateral flange releasably engaging said exterior ofsaid bushing whereby said sealing disc and said adapter are releasablysecured in assembled sealing position between said bushing and said endwall of the cap.

2. A closure and discharge device for use with a container wherein anoutlet defining collar projects from a portion of a wall thereof, saiddevice comprising a bushing having a transverse partition of readilyfrangible material, means including a clamping ring whereby said bushingis clamped in operative sealingposition on said collar, said bushinghaving an open outer end portion exteriorly adapted to receive a cap andinteriorly threaded to receive a power discharge fitting, a gravitydischarge adapter comprising a laterally extending flange and a collarsupported on said flange and interiorly threaded to receive a gravitydischarge fitting, a cap having a peripheral flange portion adapted foroperative engagement with an exterior portion of said bushing and an endWall portion cooperating with said bushing and said adapter toreleasably retain said adapter in operative position across the openouter end portion of said bushing, when the container contents are to bedrawn out through a gravity discharge fitting.

3. A closure and discharge device for a container of the type wherein afilling and discharge opening is defined by a collar which protrudesfrom a portion of a wall thereof, said closure including a bushing whichfits within and is permanently secured to said collar and is closed by apierceable diaphragm which is initially continuous and intact across theopening of said bushing, an outer end portion of said bushing comprisinga wall extending beyond the outer end edge of said collar and beingexteriorly adapted to receive a cap and interiorlythreaded to engage andsupport a power discharge fitting, and a cap engageable with said wallof the bushing to enclose and protect said bushing when said parts areassembled for transportation and to re-inforce said wall when adischarge fitting is supported thereon and to seal said closure againstleakage through the open end of said bushing after said diaphragm hasbeen pierced.

4. A closure and discharge device for a container of the type having anopening defined by a protruding annular collar of sheet material, saidclosure including a bushing which fits within and is closely engaged bysaid collar, said bushing comprising a peripheral flange which bearsclosely against said collar, an interiorly threaded annular flangearranged and adapted to provide connec tion with power dischargeapparatus and a diaphragm of readily frangible material initiallyextending across and closing the interior opening of said annular flangeand leaving when pierced or removed an opening through said bushing topermit free passage of liquid from the interior of the container throughsaid power discharge apparatus when the latter is applied to saidinteriorly threaded flange of the bushing, cover and discharge pipesupporting means cooperating with said bushing comprising a laterallydisposed flange arranged and adapted to engage and be releasablyretained on said bushing, and an inner annular flange of less diameterthan said laterally disposed flange and arranged and adapted to engageand support a gravity discharge spigot in position to discharge liquidfrom said container when said diaphragm is pierced or removed to permitflow of liquid from the container through said bushing and said innerannular flange.

5. A closure and discharge device according to claim 4 and wherein thebushing is of plastic and is retained in sealing engagement on thecontainer by a metal ring which clamps said peripheral flange of thebushing securely to said collar; and said ring has a flange whichlaterally encloses and overlaps outer end portions of said bushing toreinforce the same when operating as a connection between the containerand power operated dispensing apparatus.

6. A closure and discharge device according to claim 4 and wherein thesaid outer and inner annular flanges of the cover and discharge pipesupporting means are embodied in a unitary plastic cover piece and saidinner annular flange is initially closed by a diaphragm arrangedtransversely therein and which is pierced or removed to permitconnection to said flange of a discharge spigot and discharge of liquidthrough said spigot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,114,011 Marcuse Oct. 20, 1914 1,264,503 Grifiin Apr. 30, 19181,342,639 Marcuse June 8, 1920 2,070,783 Conner Feb. 16, 1937 2,723,060Rieke Nov. 8, 1955

